SPARTANBURG, S.C. - UNC Greensboro senior Catherine Hanners was selected as the Libero of the Year and also earned second-team All-SoCon honors in balloting conducted by the league's 12 volleyball coaches, the conference office announced Thursday.
"I'm very happy and proud for Catherine," said head coach Patrick Nicholas. "I've actually known her since she was a little kid coming to camps. She is a very talented volleyball player and the quintessential libero. Her passing, digging and serving has been incredible throughout the season. It is a great way for her to cap her career and a great honor for the program and hopefully indicates where we are headed in the future."
This season, Hanners split time between libero and outside hitter, while also being a setter on occasions. She averaged 4.18 digs per set this year and recorded 468 over the course of the year. She also had 186 kills this year and 36 service aces.
South Division winner Furman took home many of the league's honors after finishing the regular season a perfect 16-0 in conference action. Setter Kelsey Salava was named Player of the Year in the conference and Michelle Young earned Coach of the Year honors. Furman's Caroline Adams was also named Freshman of the Year.
Hanners also leaves UNCG with numerous school records. On Sept. 9 against Marshall she broke the school record for the most digs in a career. She recorded 2,315 digs over her four years, which is almost 400 more than any other player. She is the only player to average more than four digs per set as she finished with an average of 4.59. She played in 504 sets during her career which ranks her third all-time in school history. She also fell three service aces shy of breaking the school record for most aces in a season after she recorded 219 in her career.
She holds many individual match records as well. As a junior, Hanners recorded 10 services aces in a three-set match against Western Carolina to break that school record. She also holds the school record for the most digs in a four-set match (36) and a five-set match (41).
AGATE
Player of the Year
Kelsey Salava, Furman
Coach of the Year
Michelle Young, Furman
Libero of the Year
Catherine Hanners, UNC Greensboro
Freshman of the Year
Caroline Adams, Furman
All-Conference First Team
Elyse Chubb, College of
Charleston MH, So.
Cole Dawley, College of
Charleston S,
Jr.
Caroline Adams,
Furman
MB , Fr.
Kelsey Salava,
Furman
S, Sr.
Bethany Sanford , Georgia
Southern OH , So.
Kate Van Dyke , Georgia
Southern
S, Fr.
Sheriden Stangohr,
Samford
MB , Sr.
All-Conference Second Team
Sarah Havel, College of
Charleston MB
, So.
Ginny Phillips, College of
Charleston RS, Jr.
Caroline Lemke,
Elon
MB , So.
Traci Stewart,
Elon
RS, So.
Kelly Kirby,
Furman
RS/S, So.
Alexis Shaffer,
Furman
MB , So.
Catherine Hanners, UNC Greensboro L/OH,
Sr.
All-Freshman Team
Ali Deatsch,
Elon
L
Caroline Adams,
Furman
MB
Chandler Ambrester,
Furman
OH
Natalie Braun,
Furman
OH
Kate Van Dyke , Georgia
Southern
S
Allie Bettinger,
Samford
OH
Paula Passmore,
Chattanooga
L
- UNCG -